University of Leicester
Browse

Participatory Action Research: Developing a collaborative approach to modern slavery research with survivors of exploitation

Download (1.12 MB)
Version 2 2023-12-20, 17:30
Version 1 2023-10-09, 16:39
journal contribution
posted on 2023-12-20, 17:30 authored by Rachel KeighleyRachel Keighley, Teela SandersTeela Sanders, Lauren Saunders, Hilary Agg

This paper offers best practice guidance on participatory action research (PAR) methods in modern slavery studies, through sharing the experiences of survivors of modern slavery as active project consultants. By using participatory approaches and engaging in an action learning set model, this paper aims to understand how to meaningfully engage survivors of modern slavery as co-researchers. Inclusion was at the heart of this research study, and thus, this paper was co-produced by survivors of modern slavery. Through their voices, and by engaging in reflexivity, we share the challenges of engaging in meaningful peer research methods, lessons learned as well as the benefits of adopting this approach to provide creative, engaging and empowering opportunities for participation in research and skill development. We share some examples of challenges and successes in our approach to understand what meaningful peer research methods look like, addressing conservative and more liberal views including academic expertise, safeguarding and empowerment. In concluding this paper, we provide some recommendations for best practice, recognising a continual need to reflect and adapt peer research approaches that suits the needs of the peer researchers as well as the subject to be studied. The overwhelming sentiment, is that social science research must look to engage in peer research methods, recognising the expertise of lived experience, and the potential for research to empower others while also creating meaningful change.

History

Author affiliation

School of Criminology, University of Leicester

Version

  • VoR (Version of Record)

Published in

Methodological Innovations

Volume

16

Issue

3

Pagination

393-404

Publisher

SAGE Publications (UK and US)

issn

2059-7991

Copyright date

2023

Available date

2023-12-20

Language

en

Usage metrics

    University of Leicester Publications

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC